The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) responded today to British Columbia’s announcement that B.C. Hydro is exploring the potential for a large hydroelectric project near Bute Inlet: Powering B.C.’s future: New plan drives clean energy, growth, jobs.
As currently understood, this proposed power project would require extensive infrastructure in Tŝilhqot’in territory and has the potential to significantly impact Tŝilhqot’in lands and waters, as well as our title and rights.
TNG has communicated to B.C. Hydro, in no uncertain terms, that this project will not proceed without free, prior informed Tŝilhqot’in consent.
Specifically, TNG has made it clear to B.C. Hydro that the Tŝilhqot’in Nation must be a true partner from the outset to define and implement any investigation of this proposed power project, so that Tŝilhqot’in interests are fully understood and assessed to the satisfaction of the Tŝilhqot’in people. TNG has set out an Indigenous-led model for evaluating this project that recognizes and reflects the decision-making authority of the Tŝilhqot’in people at each stage, and the reality that this project will not proceed without Tŝilhqot’in consent.
TNG rejects B.C. Hydro’s decision to proceed unilaterally to explore this project, without any meaningful discussion with TNG to establish a respectful process. TNG calls on B.C. Hydro to halt any investigation of this project unless and until the jurisdiction and decision-making authority of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation is fully recognized and respected in the process.
Otis Guichon, Tribal Chief, TNG, said, “Let us be clear: our War Chiefs stood up to the colonial government, fought a war in 1864 and sacrificed their lives to stop the building of a road through Bute Inlet and into our territory. This project will never proceed over the opposition of our Nation. B.C. Hydro’s public announcement, without us, without our approval, without engaging us in any meaningful way in the process, is the most disrespectful way to initiate a process for a project that affects us so significantly and directly. It is business as usual from B.C. Hydro and we will not stand for it.”
Roger William, of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, “It is our people that will decide the future for our territory. As a Nation, we support clean energy and economic opportunities for our people. But we need to be true leaders in assessing any proposal in our territory, so that our people have the full picture and can exercise free, prior informed consent. B.C. Hydro has started on the wrong path. If they are looking for another war like Site C, then they came to the right place. But we are calling on them to get their act together, halt this process immediately, and engage in a way that respects the jurisdiction of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation for our lands and waters.”
